Peru Day 5: Salkantay Hike to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

 It was finally time for the long awaited trek to start.  We went with a great company.  ITEP.  Inca Trail Excusion Peru.  We weren't on the Inca trail much which is usually very crowded.  (but nothing was very crowded due to COVID).  Wake up time was 4:30 AM.  We didn't realize this would be a normal wake up for the whole trek.  We had to drive about three hours to get to our starting location.  We enjoyed Coca tea every day to help with with elevation sickness and just to stay hydrated.  

We reached our sleeping spot by about 12 and the boys all took a nap.  Our Chef, Sebastian, made is delicious food.  I loved the soup at every meal.  With just a light day pack we headed up to Humantay Lake.  Lots of elevation but plenty of time to do it.  The Lake was breath taking.  The color was amazing.  

We had popcorn and hot cocoa every night for our snack.  It was cold up in the mountains.  Not much light but we loved it.  Then off to bed in our "igloos". 

Peru Day 4: Pisac, Maras Salt Mines

 When you wake up early to get your motorbikes you see some beautiful sites.  The Plaza del Arms is always beautiful.  I could sit and watch people all day but then the peddlers will come bombard you with things to buy.  

We rode by more ruins that were amazing.  You could not stop and see them all.  But we wanted to head back into the Sacred Valley.  First stop Pisac.  Pisac is known for their ruins and their huge market.  Thankfully we got to see the ruins but the market isn't really there because of Covid.  We had a guide share a special "church" moment with us.  He played sacred music for us and talked about their beliefs.  The burial caves across the gully were interesting to look at.  He talked to us about Mother Earth  or Pacha Mama. 

The Maras Salt Mines were beautiful.  We literally got there as they were closing.  So it was just us.  

Peru Day 3: Chinchero on scooters and Machu Colca

 

Brittany woke up early and found us come lovely bread.  It was bigger than our heads.  So we had fresh yogurt, fruit and bread.  Ready for an adventure on our scooters/motorcycles.  

Kevin took us out on some back roads and we stopped by a lake.  No swimming in there- so dirty.  

Then we came upon an over look with some beautiful ruins that aren't even famous, Machu Colca.  The Larkins and Pages went zip lining over the valley. The Larrabee's and us went hiking up to see the ruins.  We explored an hold house and chatted with some 10 year old twin sisters who told us they were "llamas" not alpacas.  

Then we got to start descending down into the Sacred Valley.  It was beautiful.  The hills and tall mountains.  Pictures can't even capture it.  

We had a late lunch at a big meat eating restaurant.  I loved the cheese and corn.  Then we saw a side road and cruised up until it was getting dark.  We wanted to reach those tall peaks.